HIGH COUNTRY GRASSES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 18 January 1939, Page 5

HIGH COUNTRY GRASSES

POSSIBILITIES IN MARLBOROUGH

TRIAL OF CRESTED WHEAT NEW SPECIES FROM CANADA The possibility of benefit to high country pastures is raised in a sample of a hardy, deep-rooted grass known as crested wheat grass, which is at present causing a good deal of interest in Blenheim, and which is of particular importance through its possible application to such properties as Molcsworth and Tarndale. Mr Errol Reid, of Blenheim, was responsible for obtaining the particulars of the grass, which comes from Canada and in an interview with “The Express,” he described its history and possibilities. EX-BLENI-lEIM MAN’S HELP Describing how he came to be connected with the new species of grass, Mr Reid stated that two years ago the Agricultural Department kindly gave him a small packet of seed, which was sown on high country and the result looked so promising that he communicated with Mr L. B. (Jimmy) Thomson, 8.5. A.,, who is a son of Mr and Mrs A. R. Thomson, of Beaver road, Blenheim, and is superintendent of the Swift Current Experimental Station, Saskatchewan, asking for further information on the grass. Mr Thomson still showed his interest in his home district by sending a generous supply of seed as well as a complete set of literature.

“Crested wheat grass is a long lived perennial, being a native of the steppe region or prairie plains of Russia and Western Siberia,” said Mr Reid. “Growing on these cold dry wind-swept plains it has developed a tolerance of drought and of extreme temperature which makes it well adapted for much of our Marlborough country.

‘‘lt is closely related to slender wheat grass and western wheat grass, both of which are native to western Canada. I am of opinion that some of the grass being grown in New Zealand as crested wheat grass is either slender or western wheat grass, and while both these grasses have considerable merit, I am convinced that | the Siberian native is the outstanding plant.” HIGH COUNTRY REQUIREMENTS Points most desirable in grasses for requirements on the high country of Marlborough were outlined by Mr Reid as follows: — (a) Palatability and feeding value. (b) Drought resistance. (c) Frost resistance. (d) Permanency. (e) Freeness from disease. (f) Ability to produce an early spring growth and a late autumn growth. (h) Ability to dominate weeds and poor grasses. On all these points crested wheat grass promised to give complete satisfaction. Mr Thomson had stated that the glass had given splendid results in Canada and he felt confident that it would take the place of many of their other grasses even in the more favourable areas. The favourable manner in which crested wheat grass answered these requirements was set out as follows: (a) The grass is highly palatable and is relished by all classes of live stock. As hay it equals or surpasses all other Canadian grasses and even the straw alter the seed has been threshed is readily eaten. The nutritive value has been thoroughly tested and the results are outstanding. (b and c): The grass is very deep rooted, penetrating to a depth of several feet when the soil is moist to that depth, and the root system of a single plant often extends to a width of from 1£ to 2\ feet across, and is of remarkable density. The grass is therefore well adapted to withstand the severest drought and no frost ever experienced in Marlborough could lift or damage the plant. In fact the grass has never been known to show frost injury. (d) Although the grass was introduced into U.S.A. some years ago, it was not until 1927 that extensive tests were made. An abandoned field was seeded to this grass and a good stand obtained. This was closely grazed and heavily trampled from early spring until late autumn for five years in succession without apparent injury to the grass cover. Originally this field was

heavily infested with weeds, yet the gi'ass took possession to the almost complete exclusion of the weeds, the extensive root system taking up all the moisture so that weeds could not grow in competition with it. The grass is adapted to a wide range of soil types, but does best on medium soils that are not lacking in lime. The plant is somewhat tolerant of alkali. In comparison with other grasses it shows up best where the annual rainfall is between ten and 18 inches and where the evaporation is excessive. However, under more humid conditions three tons per acre is not uncommon. (e) The grass is not subject to stem rust or ergot. (f) This is answered in (d). (g) As the grass is a native of a very cold country one would expect an early growth and this has been amply demonstrated in a small local test plot, the grass being well away before any other grasses. It also provides greater feeding in the late autumn. (h) This is answered in (d). A HEAVY SEEDER

“Crested wheat grass spreads in very much the same way as our all too dominant couch grass, and is also a heavy seeder, said Mr Reid. “When grownig fo»- seed, it is usually grown in rows three fet apeart, and under favourable conditions as much as 90Clbs per acre of seed has been harvested, yet 5001bs per acre is normal under favourable conditions, and 3001 bs per acre under average conditions. Seeding should be done on prepared firm soil. Best results are obtained by sowing without a nurse crop, especially ii the drier areas. Very early and very shallow seedings are of first importance, and about 151 b of seed per acre are sufficient, hut somewhat less than this gives better results under semi-arid conditions. For seed-production the grass is sown in rows three feet apart at two to three lbs per acre. The rows should be cultivated for the first two seasons after which weeds cannot thrive between the rows.

“Where artificial watering is not possible the grass makes satisfactory turf for farm lawns, rural school grounds and golf course fairways. “The grass can be sown broadcast but land on which water lies for ten days o’* more in the spring is unsuitable since the grass will not withstand flooding for many days. To sow the grass on land that is likely to drift is a waste of time and seed. There are several strains of crested wheat grass and the strain recennnended by Mr Thomson is the No. 1 registered Fairway strain. WORTHY OF INVESTIGATION “It cannot he too strongly stated that much of our country is poorly grassed ; the useless ‘sweet vernal has a large hold, and many of our other glasses have no permanency. Therefore attention should be given to new grasses, and I firmly believe that crested wheat grass will prove a valuable plant. “We are fortunate in having Mr Thomson’s opinion, as he not only holds a high position with the Canadian Department of Agriculture, hut lie knows Marlborough, and lie says the grass will do very well. Il is a prolific seeder an dthere are no i threshing or harvesting difficulties,” said Mr Reid. Asked what the price of the seed would be. the speaker said he had no idea of the market value, and he thought it would be very difficult to obtain supplies of seed.